Speargun Project

[Prater]

I am just a hobbiest and purchased my MFT as part of a router system I wanted.  My first project on it was a speargun I made from a reclaimed teak swim platform.  This was a fun project and came out nice.  I took my time, about 6 months or so...I have since built a few more guns that fellow divers wanted after using my gun.

The old platform from my Formula 357 boat.

Finished Speargun.

 

[Prater]

Here is the second gun I built from a different platform, it came out much nicer than the first.

You can see my first gun build in detail at this site...

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=55829

 

[wnagle]

Now thats pretty cool!!! Unique!

 

[Dave Ronyak]

That definitely qualifies as the most original and unique FOG project I have seen to date!

Should Moby Dick be worried?

Dave R.

 

[Prater]

Thanks Guys, they are great for putting food on the table...

Me in West palm Beach with some Hogfish

My buddy Jeff in Savannah using the second gun on his Grouper

 

[Prater]

I use the MFT/Pinnacle router to cut the epoxy enclosed track for the guns.  I also use it to cut the trigger pockets.

I first cut a 1/2" pocket in the length of the gun, then fill it with a mix of Epoxy, microfibers, and graphite

I then use a special lolipop cutter to rout the track in the cured epoxy

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Prater,  I am also impressed with the engineering of your project, especially the microfiber filled epoxy lined "bore."  What are the fibers?  Any special procedures needed to machine that composite material once it is setup?  I am asking because I think your techniques could be used  to expand the range and increase the durability of various shop-made tools and jigs as well as other end products.  In the past, I have only thought of such materials as adhesives and fillers, e.g. for repair of automotive bodies.

Moby Dick should be worried!!  I'll take some grouper.  Thanks for posting the photos.

Dave R.

 

[Prater]

Dave,

I use West System Epoxy.  The microfibers I use are #403, they are designned for thickening and laminating projects.  Here is the website on them.http://www.westsystem.com/ss/403-microfibers/

I purchase the graphite on ebay by the pound.  Its a lot cheaper than buying the West System Graphite #423

I mix the West System #105 epoxy and the slow hardener #206 with the correct ratio pumps.  I make sure it is mixed completely, I then add the microfibers #403 until it is similar to pancake batter.  After that I add the graphite until its color is black but be carefull not to add over 10% graphite to the mix, it can cause the mixture to improperly harden.  I then pour the mix into the slot I cut and try and work most of the bubbles and voids out.  Pour more than needed into the part as the top will blush and you will want to cutr that area back off.  Use reynolds wrap to keep the mess to a minimum and the epoxy will not stick to it so its easy to clean up afterwards.  If you pour a large area make sure it is not too hot outside or it may crack when curing.

Make sure and wear a good dust mask when working with the microfibers.

Pouring the track

 

[Prater]

Before the epoxy set, I uses a staright edge to remove the blush and overpour of the epoxy

I then routed a 1/4 inch track so that my lolipop cutter would not have to cut through the epoxy and load up.

I then set the depth of cut I wanted with the custom 11/32 router bit.  It was custom cut for my project by SFS Carbide.  It fires a 5/16 shaft

Routed with the lolipop cutter

 

[Prater]

I then planed the top of the gun to line up the triger and shaft

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Steve,

Thanks for the epoxy and micro fibers information.  How much did the custom router bit cost?  I spoke with Whiteside about a large swing bit I wanted to make some molding.  The profile I need is a simple curve that could be made by simply regrinding a current commercially available router bit in their line.  I was told the price would be about 3X the normal price of standard bit.  I did not order the custom profile bit.

Dave R.

 

[Prater]

I ordered the bit with a group purchase.  It was around $62 shipped.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

That is a great price compared to what I was quoted, but the bit I wanted had a working radius of ~ 1 1/2 inches, essentially a variation of a common "table edge" bit which I figured could be used as a starting point.

Dave R.